Irrigation control system timing device for controlling watering cycle of a plurality of watering zones

ABSTRACT

An irrigation control system which provides a watering cycle for a number of individual watering zones under the control of a timing device, and according to which the time interval assigned to the individual watering zones may be programmed, that is to say, the on and off times for fluid flow in each of the zones may be independently and flexibly varied over the widest possible range.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,740,575

Bizzoco June 19, 1973 54] IRRIGATION CONTROL SYSTEM TIMING 3,440,4344/1969 Yates et a1 307 1414 DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING WATERING 32 62 Ic sCYCLE OF A PLURALITY 0F WATERING 3,437,767 4/1969 Montgomery 200/38 DAZONES 3,539,878 11/1970 Bell et al 137/624.18 x

Inventor: Michael D. Bizzoco, White Plains,

Tork Time Controls Inc., Mount Vernon, NY

Filed: June 29, 1971 App1.NO.: 157,867

Assignee:

US. Cl 307/1414, 200/38 R, 200/38 DA,

Int. Cl. l-l0lh 43/16 Field of Search .1..- 200/38, '153 LB;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1971 Pauker et al 200/38 R 4POWER Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott Attorney-John F. Ohlandt [57]ABSTRACT An irrigation control system which provides a watering cyclefor a number of individual watering zones under the control of a timingdevice, and according to which the time interval assigned to theindividual watering zones may be programmed, that is to say, the on andoff times for fluid flow in each of the zones may be independently andflexibly varied over the widest possible range.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SOURCE ZONE ZONE 4 EJZONE 3 Patented Junel9, 1973 3,740,515

2 Shoots-Sheet 1 1 AUTO OFF MANUAL x 9 11111: 1 4- I: AUTO EFAMISMANUALZ F 326 AUTO RAW WATE MASTER SNlTCH PRoGRA RESETO INVENTOR T5 1 2BYMWH-AEL D. B1zzoco Patented June 19, 1973 2 Shoots-Sheet 2' D r I u 11 U M I t'W ug 31.4 {a} IEIE C o U 2 I l I .l 1 1 1.. 1 q M \IL FII r U4n I kl Lil? POWER af'j SOURCE WATER SUPPLY ZONE 1 ZONE 2 zone 3 [L3ZONE 4 IRRIGATION CONTROL SYSTEM TIMING DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING WATERINGCYCLE OF A PLURALITY OF WATERING ZONES BACKGROUND, OBJECTS AND SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an irrigation control system,and more particularly, to a control system including timing devicesespecially adapted for the automatic control of the irrigation of turfand the like.

A variety of timing devices have been proposed heretofore for theaforenoted purpose of automatic irrigation control. Generally speaking,such timing devices are designed to turn the irrigation apparatus on atsuch times of the day or week as may be selected by the operator, and todo so automatically day after day. Since great flexibility is requiredin the irrigation cycle, the control system must be susceptible to beingeasily adjusted to produce a variety of schedules or programs.

Since most areas to be irrigated, and particularly, home lawns, can notbe watered all at one time due to the limitations of the water supplythrough the main or from the well source, it is usually necessary towater lawns in zones, one zone following another, until all have beenwatered according to their particular watering schedule.

Thus, an automatic irrigation control system usually contains some sortof clock device that operates on a 24-hour basis and has provisions forselectively eliminating operations on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule.The clock device is coupled either mechanically or electrically to asequential timer which moves through the watering cycle. Consequently,the several zones are watered sequentially in accordance with theselected schedule in response to the operation of the 24-hour clockdevice.

Since the water is conveyed through a pipe from the main, or from asuitably designed pump, to the watering head on the lawn, it isnecessary to install some kind of shut-off valve to control the flow toeach zone. Usually, this is an electric solenoid valve which may belocated either remotely from the automatic timing device or close to it,as suits the convenience of the installer. A valve is installed forcontrolling the water supply to each of the watering zones.

Accordingly, itis required that the automatic timing device forirrigation control function to energize a series of electrical circuitssequentially at a given time on given days and to energize eachindividual zone according to the program desired by the operator.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to establishcomplete flexibility in the scheduling or programming for a desiredwatering cycle.

In fulfillment of the above-stated object, the irrigation control systemof the present invention includes the provision of means forindependently varying the fluid flow over the widest possible rangewithin the predetermined or selected time interval assigned to each ofthewatering zones. The mechanism for so independently varying the fluidflow comprises a cycler switch and a mechanism for actuating the cyclerswitch comprising a cycler dial and a means, preferably in the form of aplurality of tabs disposed around the periphery of the dial, forselectively engaging an actuator which is operative to control thecycler switch.

Other ancillary objects are fulfilled by the irrigation control systemof the present invention by reason of the also includes a pump switchwhich is provided because,

quite frequently, normal water supplies are not adequate for proper lawnspringkling, and hence, it is required that a special lawn sprinklerpump be installed. It is desirable to have this special pump run onlywhen the control system is calling for water. Consequently, it isarranged that the control system turns on both the appropriate solenoidvalve and the well pump motor, and then turns off both devices at thesame time. The pump switch-also has a manual position, such that thepump can be turned on without disturbing the automatic sequentialsetting of the irrigation control system. Of course, the pump switch mayalso be used to operate a master supply electric solonoid valve whenwater is supplied directly from city main lines.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the description herewith set forth in conjunction with thedrawings annexed hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating the control system panel.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view corresponding to the showing of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged'sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1,illustrating the control by the omitting wheel associated with the24-hour dial.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the switch actuating mechanismassociated with the 24-hour dial.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary detailed view of the switch actuator associatedwith the cycler dial.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the essential elements of theirrigation control system.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

Referring now to the FIGS., and for the moment to FIG. 1, a panel 10 isseen on which is mounted a 24- hour dial 12. This dial revolvescontinuously and operates to index ahead, once each day, the 14-dayomitting device 14. Disposed around the periphery of the dial 12 are 48tabs 16. These tabs are not removable from the dial but may be tipped inor out. Some of the tabs, such as the group designated A, are shown inFIG. 1 as being in the tipped-out" position, and some, such as the groupdesignated B, as being in the tipped-in position. When the tabs are inthe former position no operation will occur, as will become apparent.

A switch actuator 20 is operatively associated with the dial 12. Thisswitch actuator is designed to include a depending portion 20a, and anarm 20b directed inwardly toward the periphery of the dial 12, andanother arm 200 (FIG. 4). Now, assuming one of the tabs 16 is tipped in,the result will be that the switch actuator 20 will be able to moveinwardly, such that the depending portion 20a moves away from thespring-biased toggle 18a of the 24-hour switch 18 producing closure ofthe contacts 18b of switch 18 (see FIG. 6). Consequently power flow ispermitted to the timing motor 24, whereby the cycler dial 22 seen on theright in FIG. 1 starts its operation.

In the event that any omitting screw 14a on the omitting wheel 14, bestseen in FIGS. 3, has been placed in its lower position to correspondwith a selected day, switch actuator 20 will not be able to move, in themanner described above; therefore switch 18 will then not close andthere will be no circuit established to the cycler timing motor 24.

The operation of the cycler dial 22 and the circuit selector switch 26are controlled by the operation of cycler timing motor 24, whoseoperation, in turn, is controlled by its own limit switch 28, havingcontacts 28a, seen in FIG. 6. Thus once the circuit to the timing motor24 is closed by the operation of the clock dial 12, this motor starts toturn and in a few minutes closes its own limit switch 28, therebyproviding an alternate circuit path. Hence, even though the switch 18may be opened, the cyclerdial 22 will continue to rotate for onerevolution.

Similarly to the arrangement already described for the clock dial 12,the cycler dial 22 is also provided with a series of tabs 30, which areself-retaining, but may also be tipped in or out. These tabs areoperative, in cooperation with the switch actuating mechanism 32, toaffect the operation of cycler switch 34, which is provided withcontacts 34a. Operation of the cycler switch 34 is dependent on whetherthe tabs 30 are tipped in or tipped out. The tipped in" position isshown in dotted lines in FIG. 5, whereby the switch actuator 32 is freeto move inwardly, resulting in opening of switch 34.

It will be noted that the tabs 30 are grouped in zones and that thecycler dial 22 is arranged to have a number of zones which may beselected as desired. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1,there are 6 zones, but there might be 12, 24, or 36 zones, depending onthe size of the dial or the speed with which the dial rotates. It willbe understood that the speed of dial 22 might be changed by changing thegearing between timing motor 24 and dial 22.

Permanently attached to dial 22 is the aforementioned selector switch26, which is designed to have the same number of fixed contact zones asthere are zones on the cycler dial 22. The spread of these contact zoneson the selector switch conforms precisely to the spread of the 6 zoneson the cycler dial 22. It will be appreciated, by reference to FIG. 6,that electrical power from the power source is fed, once the switchcontacts 28a and 34a are closed, to the movable contact 26a of theselector switch 26. Then, individual circuits are selectivelyestablished by way of the individual fixed contacts 26b, the respectiveconductors 50-60, and the terminal strip 64, to the respective electricsolenoid valves 66-76. The common return is by the line 62.

As described briefly heretofore, a series of manual switches 80 areprovided on the control panel 10. These are not illustrated in theschematic diagram of FIG. 6, but it will be appreciated by those skilledin the art that the switch positions for each of the six zones are soconstituted that they enable turning off power without disturbing thepre-selection made on the cycler dial; they also enable turning on powerwhen desired without disturbing the automatic sequence.

The two lowermost switches which may be seen in FIG. 1 are the pumpswitch, whose purpose has already been described, and the master switchwhich functions to turn all sections off at once. This master switch hasa position known as the rain position. This position permits turning offflow to all watering zones in case it starts to rain during the wateringcycle, but then permits the cycler dial 22 to return to its homeposition so that it will be ready to start the next cycle when sodesired by the operator, after the master switch has been returned toits normal position.

Returning to the operation of the cycler dial 22, it will be apparentthat as the cycler dial rotates through the full 360, the varioussegments or zones of the selector switch 26 are contacted in sequence,and as a result, the respective electric solenoid valves 66-76 areenergized, thereby to permit fluid flow to the particular watering zone.

The present invention, in its principal aspects, is concerned with theprovision of control means for independently varying the fluid flowwithin the predetermined time interval assigned to each of the pluralityof zones, and specifically, in establishing control over the opening andclosing of the electrical circuit to the selector switch, such that thezone valve controlling the fluid flow to each zone may be repeatedlyturned on and off within the predetermined time interval.

The above-noted features are implemented in the embodiment illustratedby the capability of adjusting the tabs 30 which are grouped into thezones aforedes cribed. Thus, any one or more of the tabs 30 in a givenzone on the cycler dial 22 can be tipped out, such that that portionwill correspond to a time period during which there will be energizationof the partucular zone valve. This is so because any tipped out tabforces the switch actuator 32 to move outwardly into engagement with thetoggle 34b of the cycler switch 34, thereby enabling closure of switchcontacts 34a of this normally open switch.

On the other hand, when the tabs 30 in any given zone on the cycler zone22 are tipped in" there will be de-energization of the particular zonevalve because the contacts 34a will be open.

The particular feature of being able to turn a zone valve on and offrepeatedly during the assigned time interval for the zone is veryimportant because it permits watering for short periods, thereby givingthe water an opportunity to soak vin, rather than continuous watering,which would result in run-off if the surface is not prepared to receivethe water.

The length of time that each of the tabs 30, on the dial 22, will causethe circuit of the particular zone valve to be energized, varies withthe speed at which the dial turns, and the size of the particular dial.Dial zones may vary within certain mechanical limits, ranging fromapproximately 4 inches to possibly 10 or 12 inches in diameter, whilethe dial speed may vary from a revolution in 1 hour to l revolution in12 hours.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferredembodiment, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention,therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. An irrigation control system comprising:

A. a plurality of electrical means for controlling fluid flow to arespective plurality of irrigation zones;

B. a plurality of electrical branch circuits each of 5 which isconnected to a fluid flow control means for a respective zone;

C. an automatic timing device for selectively energizto the irrigationzones, said dial being controlled by the operation of said motor so asto assign equal predetermined time intervals of the program cycle toeach of the dial zones;

3. a selector switch, having contact zones corresponding to said dialzones, said selector switch being controlled by the operation of saidmotor for sequentially rendering each of said electrical branch circuitscapable of energization for said equal predetermined time intervals;

4. and means for independently varying the fluid flow within aparticular predetermined time interval assigned to each of said dialzones, said means comprising a. another switch, and b. an actuator forsaid switch, said actuator being responsive to the positionallydisplaceable means on said dial for repeatedly effecting, within saidpredetermined time interval, alternate On and Off states for the fluidflow control means associated with a respective zone by controlling theenergization of the corresponding one of said electrical branchcircuits, said alternate On and Off states having a minimum time periodequal to a unit sub-interval of said predetermined time interval.

2. A system as defined in claim 1, in which said positionallydisplaceable means includes a plurality of radially displaceable tabsdisposed around the periphery of said dial for selectively engaging saidactuator,

the time period for engagement of said actuator by each of said tabscorresponding substantially with a unit sub-interval of saidpredetermined time interval.

3. A system as defined in claim 2, in which said tabs are tiltedradially inwardly or outwardly so as to affect the operation of saidother switch.

4. A system as defined in claim 1, further comprising another dial andmeans for providing continuous movement of said other dial;

a third switch adapted to be actuated by said other dial;

and further including means for activating said motor for moving saidfirst recited dial responsive to do sure of said third switch.

1. An irrigation control system comprising: A. a plurality of electrical means for controlling fluid flow to a respective plurality of irrigation zones; B. a plurality of electrical branch circuits each of which is connected to a fluid flow control means for a respective zone; C. an automatic timing device for selectively energizing each of said fluid flow control means in accordance with a pre-selected program, including
 1. motor,
 2. a rotatable dial with positionally displaceable means thereon and having zones corresponding to the irrigation zones, said dial being controlled by the operation of said motor so as to assign equal predetermined time intervals of the program cycle to each of the dial zones;
 3. a selector switch, having contact zones corresponding to said dial zones, said selector switch being controlled by the operation of said motor for sequentially rendering each of said electrical branch circuits capable of energization for said equal predetermined time intervals;
 4. aNd means for independently varying the fluid flow within a particular predetermined time interval assigned to each of said dial zones, said means comprising a. another switch, and b. an actuator for said switch, said actuator being responsive to the positionally displaceable means on said dial for repeatedly effecting, within said predetermined time interval, alternate On and Off states for the fluid flow control means associated with a respective zone by controlling the energization of the corresponding one of said electrical branch circuits, said alternate On and Off states having a minimum time period equal to a unit sub-interval of said predetermined time interval.
 2. a rotatable dial with positionally displaceable means thereon and having zones corresponding to the irrigation zones, said dial being controlled by the operation of said motor so as to assign equal predetermined time intervals of the program cycle to each of the dial zones;
 2. A system as defined in claim 1, in which said positionally displaceable means includes a plurality of radially displaceable tabs disposed around the periphery of said dial for selectively engaging said actuator, the time period for engagement of said actuator by each of said tabs corresponding substantially with a unit sub-interval of said predetermined time interval.
 3. A system as defined in claim 2, in which said tabs are tilted radially inwardly or outwardly so as to affect the operation of said other switch.
 3. a selector switch, having contact zones corresponding to said dial zones, said selector switch being controlled by the operation of said motor for sequentially rendering each of said electrical branch circuits capable of energization for said equal predetermined time intervals;
 4. A system as defined in claim 1, further comprising another dial and means for providing continuous movement of said other dial; a third switch adapted to be actuated by said other dial; and further including means for activating said motor for moving said first recited dial responsive to closure of said third switch.
 4. aNd means for independently varying the fluid flow within a particular predetermined time interval assigned to each of said dial zones, said means comprising a. another switch, and b. an actuator for said switch, said actuator being responsive to the positionally displaceable means on said dial for repeatedly effecting, within said predetermined time interval, alternate On and Off states for the fluid flow control means associated with a respective zone by controlling the energization of the corresponding one of said electrical branch circuits, said alternate On and Off states having a minimum time period equal to a unit sub-interval of said predetermined time interval. 